(Three-Two-One)Writing activity where students write: 3 key terms from what they have just learned, 2ideas they would like to learn more about, and 1 concept or skill they think they havemastered.

5 + 1

(Five Plus One)Direct instruction variation where the teacher presents for five minutes, students shareand reflect for one minute, then the cycle repeats.

#ABCDEFGHIJK LM NOPQR STUVWXYZ

A-B-C Summarize

A form of review in which each student in a class is assigned a different letter of thealphabet and they must select a word starting with that letter that is related to the topic being studied.

Absentee Management

In addition to recording and reporting student absences according to their particular school's rules, teachers can also employ strategies designed to encourage students toattend class regularly. One approach is to call parents during the evening as soon as thestudent misses a day of school. This call can also be used to allow the teacher to get toknow the parents better and to collect information to be used in the preparation of make-up materials for the child.

Abstracting

A thinking skill that involves summarizing and converting real-world events or ideas intomodels.

Academic Dishonesty Clarification

Any activities through which the teacher explains to the student what constitutesacademic dishonesty for a particular class. Clarification is necessary because differentforms of collaboration are allowed in different classes and for different activities anddifferent levels of "copying" from sources are allowed in different classes and at differentgrade levels.

Accelerated Reading

A commercially produced reading program that includes quizzes administered viacomputer and student selection of books.Accelerated Reader

Students can act out mathematical, scientific, or social problems to improve their comprehension.

Action Projects

A project where ideas learned through research are tested and applied in a real- worldsituation.ERIC as a Resource for the Teacher Researcher. ERIC DigestAction Research - NCRELAction Research and Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession: MakingConnections - Fran Squire

Activating Prior Knowledge

Helping learners connect to concepts about to be taught by using activities that relate toor determine the level of their existing knowledge.

Active Learning

Any approach that engages learners by matching instruction to the learner's interests,understanding, and developmental level. Often includes hands-on and authentic activities.

Adaptive Learning Environments Model

(ALEM)Combination of individual and whole class approach which helps to integrate studentswith special needs into the classroom.

Adaptive Scheduling

No one wants to take a test the morning after prom night or the big football game. Whenscheduling exams, ask students for suggestions about what would be good days and whatdays are already full with other activities. Some schools keep three month calendars inthe office to let teachers know in advance when "big" activities are coming up and toallow adaptive scheduling of tests and activities.

Adaptive Testing

Admit Slips/Exit Slips

Teacher helps in the synthesis of learning by reading anonymous student writings aloudto begin or end a class.Admit/Exit Slips

Advance Organizer

David Ausubel's guidelines for an abstract introduction. Designed to activate prior knowledge and help students become more receptive to the learning that is to follow.

Affinity

A brainstorming approach that encourages less verbal members of a group to participate.First, all members of the group write responses to the problem or question on separatecards, then the cards are silently grouped by each member while the others observe. After a discussion, the agreed upon arrangement is recorded as an outline or diagram.

Affirmations

Technique for motivating students by helping them believe they can "do things."

A formal approach to discussing and researching issues. Students are polled for agreement or disagreement with a statement and their responses as a group are recordedin the matrix. Students research the topic, and again their responses are recorded. Finally,small groups to meet to to discuss the results and changes.Agree/Disagree Matrix

Agreement Circles

Used to explore opinions. As students stand in a circle, facing each other, the teacher makes a statement. Students who agree with the statement step into the circle.

(AGO)Edward de Bono's strategy to help students analyze the reasons behind actions.AGO: Aims, Goals, Objectives

Air Drawing

Students draw or motion in the air to demonstrate how they will carry out a procedure before they actually do so. Used in science labs, home economics, and classes wherestudents use tools or musical instruments.

ALEM

(Adaptive Learning Environments Model)Combination of individual and whole class approach which helps to integrate studentswith special needs into the classroom.

Alphabet Summary

Each student is assigned a different letter of the alphabet and asked to generate a wordstarting with that letter that is related to the topic being discussed. Students share their terms with the class.

Alphabetic Foods Teams

Brainstorm the names of 26 foods (apple, bread, etc.). A paper is passed within the groupand individuals write appropriate names in alphabetical order. Can be adapted to other categories (authors, cities, etc.).

Alternative Assessments

Any of a variety of assessments that allow teachers to evaluate their students'understanding or performance. Examples include: performance assessments, portfolios, journals, and authentic assessments.Alternative Assessment - NCREL